Estimating Your Estate Taxes

Fast Fact: Estate Tax Changes. In 2010, the estate tax expired. It was reinstated by Congress as part of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2010, with a maximum estate tax rate of 35% and a unified credit that effectively exempts the first $5 of an estate from federal estate taxes. The current rule is in effect until 2012 — unless Congress makes a change. Source: The Tax Institute, December 20, 2010

Congress passed — and the President signed — new estate tax rules in December 2010 that will be in effect through 2012, unless lawmakers decide to adjust the provisions.

The good news is that only 9,100 estates are expected to owe estate taxes as a result of the new rule. Or put another way, the American Bar Association estimates that less than one-half of one percent people who die in 2011 will be affected by the estate tax.1,2

Rundown of the new rules

The first $5 million of your estate is effectively exempt from federal estate taxes. So if your estate is worth less than $5 million — that’s the gross value of everything you owned when you died — no federal estate taxes will be due. If your estate is worth more than $5 million, you may be subject to federal estate taxes on the amount that exceeds $5 million. And in 2011 and 2012, the maximum estate tax rate is 35 percent.3

Example 1

Tip: Cubby Culprit. When William Wrigley announced the sale of the Chicago Cubs in 1981, it was due to massive losses, but not in the business of baseball. Estate taxes of nearly $40 million were the culprit. Source: Bank Insurance Marketing, January 2011

When Mrs. Jones passed away in 2011, her estate was worth $3.5 million dollars. That’s below the amount exempted by the unified credit, so no federal estate taxes will be due. While Mrs. Jones wasn’t subject to federal estate taxes, there are a variety of estate strategies she could have used to help manage her estate.4

Example 2

Mr. Smith, on the other hand, left an estate worth $7.5 million in 2011. There are two quick ways to estimate the estate taxes which will come due nine months from his death.

The formal process is to find tentative tax. On an estate worth $7.5 million, the tentative estate tax is $2,605,800. From this, subtract the unified credit, which is $1,730,800. This unified credit is how the IRS exempts the first $5 million from estate taxes — it’s the tax that would be due on the first $5 million of the estate. When $1,730,800 is subtracted from $2,605,800, it results in a federal estate tax of $875,000.5

That’s what Mr. Smith’s heirs may have to pay.

The estate taxes due can also be estimated by simply subtracting $5 million from the total value of the estate — in this case $7.5 million — then multiplying the result by 35 percent. In this instance, $7.5 million minus $5 million leaves $2.5 million. And 35 percent of $2.5 million is $875,000.

Remember that the current estate tax rules are in effect until 2012. After that, Congress may either extend the existing rules or develop a new approach. Your best strategy may be to manage your estate so it’s structured to carry out your wishes.

1. Brookings Tax Policy Center, December 2011 2. New York Times, October 17, 2010 3. Taxpayer Relief Act of 2011, December 2011 4,5. These hypothetical examples are used for illustrative purposes only, and not intended to represent any estate.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2019 FMG Suite.

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The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information.
The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals
for specific information regarding your individual situation. Some of this material was developed and produced by
FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named
representative, broker - dealer, state - or SEC - registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and
material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or
sale of any security.

Copyright 2019 FMG Suite.

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